CVE-2017-14328 in EXOS
Summary
by MITRE
Extreme EXOS 15.7, 16.x, 21.x, and 22.x allows remote attackers to trigger a buffer overflow leading to a reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14328 affects Extreme Networks EXOS operating systems across multiple versions including 15.7, 16.x, 21.x, and 22.x. This represents a critical buffer overflow condition that can be exploited remotely, potentially leading to system disruption through unauthorized reboots. The flaw resides within the network switch operating system's handling of specific input data streams that exceed allocated buffer boundaries, creating a condition where malicious actors can manipulate system memory through crafted network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation mechanisms within the EXOS operating system's network processing modules. When legitimate network packets containing oversized or malformed data are processed by the switch, the system fails to properly bounds-check incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting system state and triggering unexpected behavior that culminates in system reboot operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the switch's ability to process certain types of network protocol data, particularly those involving extended packet formats or malformed header structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network infrastructure availability and reliability. Remote exploitation of the buffer overflow allows attackers to perform denial of service attacks against network switches without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The automatic reboot functionality creates a cascading effect that can disrupt network connectivity, particularly in environments where multiple switches are interconnected or where the affected devices serve as critical network infrastructure components. Network administrators may experience unexpected service interruptions that could impact business operations, especially in mission-critical environments where continuous network availability is essential.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption to potential escalation opportunities for attackers seeking to establish persistent network presence. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, where initial access through network-based attacks can lead to more sophisticated compromise attempts. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual reboot patterns or network traffic anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to patched versions of EXOS operating systems that address the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement network access control lists to restrict unnecessary network traffic to switch management interfaces and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust network security monitoring practices to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant operational impact. Organizations should also conduct thorough network assessments to identify all affected devices and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing remote buffer overflow exploitation scenarios.